MacMillan spent his first two years as a professional playing for the Minnesota Fighting Saints but jumped to the NHL in 1974. "Mack the Knife" as he was known, split that campaign between the New York Rangers and their farm team in Providence and it would take a trade to make him a full-time NHL player.

MacMillan was dealt to the St. Louis Blues in September of 1975 and he blossomed with them by scoring 20 goals and 52 points in his first full year in the league. The following year he upped his point total but it wasn't enough to stop his from being traded yet again during his third year with the team. MacMillan was shipped to the Atlanta Flames in a big six-player trade and it was down in Georgia where he enjoyed his greatest success.

With the Flames MacMillan exploded offensively lighting the lamp 31 times in the 52 games he spent with them following the trade. During his first full year in the red and orange, MacMillan scored 37 goals and 71 assists for 108 points. His line mate, Guy Chouinard, managed 50 goals and finished just one point back of MacMillan. Not only was his offensive prowess impressive, but he only received fourteen minutes in penalties during the entire season and was given the Lady Byng Trophy as the league's Most Gentlemanly Player.

When the Flames franchise shifted to Calgary, MacMillan went with them, but he couldn't reproduce his scoring successes, though he was still a productive player. During the 1981-82 season he was on the move again as a part of the package that brought Lanny McDonald to Calgary.

MacMillan spent two and a half seasons with the Colorado/New Jersey franchise before moving on to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1984 to play his final season in the league.

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Originally Posted by PEI Sports Hall Of Fame

Bob MacMillan has done himself, his family and his native Prince Edward Island, proud. He accomplished something that only one other Maritimer has been able to do, in being named the N.H.L.'s Lady Byng Trophy winner for the 1978-79 season. Certainly a worthy recipient of the trophy, which is emblematic of the player judged to have displayed the most gentlemanly conduct matched with playing ability, the Charlottetown native, performing with Atlanta Flames, amassed 108 points in 79 games, made up of 37 goals and 71 assists and drew only 14 minutes in penalties.

Robert Lea MacMillan was born in Charlottetown on September 2, 1952. Raised by his mother after his father passed away, Bobby grew up idolizing his hockey playing older brother Billy [inducted 1985], who had played in both the Olympics and the N.H.L. A product of the Charlottetown Minor Hockey System, Bob was one of eight players who graduated from the Charlottetown Junior Islanders of the early 70s and go on to a professional hockey career. After finishing his time in Junior Hockey with St. Catharines’ Black Hawks, Bob was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1972, but chose instead to perform in the W.H.A. with Minnesota for two seasons. He eventually moved to the Rangers in 1974-75 and played 22 games with the Broadway Blue Shirts before being shipped off to Providence of the American Hockey League for the remainder of the season. In September 1975, Bob was traded to St. Louis where he spent almost two seasons. During his first season with the team, Bob equalled one rookie record and broke another two; he scored 20 goals to equal the rookie record of **** ******, established in season 1971-72, picked up 32 assists to break the rookie-record of 30 established by *** **** in the 1974-75 season, and amassed 52 points to beat **** ******'s rookie-record set in 1971-72.

These records are impressive, but it was upon moving to Atlanta in 1977 that Bobby really found his shooting eye. In 52 games with the Flames, he averaged a point a game, potting 31 goals and garnering 21 assists. The following season would be the best of his hockey career: he more than doubled his number of points and was awarded the prestigious Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. In honour of this incredible accomplishment, Bobby was inducted into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame on July 16, 1979.

In the spring of 1978, Bob MacMillan was chosen as a member of Team Canada when they took part in the World Championships in Prague; the team placed third. Professionally, Bobby continued to play for the Atlanta Flames, which became the Calgary Flames in 1980. He then played for the Colorado Rockies in the 1981-82 season, followed by two seasons with the New Jersey Devils.

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Originally Posted by hockeydraftcentral.com

A 1978-79 poll of coaches found him to be the NHL's most underrated player

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Originally Posted by Lanny

Both Bob MacMillan and Don Lever were popular players in the dressing room, on the ice and with the fans. They were well-liked among the players, and everyone on the team thought of them as friends.

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Originally Posted by Players: The Ultimate A-Z Guide Of Everyone Who Has Ever Played in the NHL

Noted for his speed and streaky scoring

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Originally Posted by Lakeland Ledger, 1978-11-23

While his career has rocketed, MacMilan remains reserved... "In St. Louis, even though Bobby was greatly competitive and even though he could skate really fast, he had absolutely no one to back him up," said Flames LW ****** **********. "Now he doesn't have to think about his well-being, because he's got us." It must be remembered, though, that Bob MacMillan must be caught before he can he hit, and that's no small order for opposing players. "He's not really a big man, but his strides are deceptively long. His moves come at you so fast. A guy like Gil Perreault, he can do everything well, but if you slow him down by 10 miles an hour, he wouldn't be as exceptional. With Bobby, you make a play on him in a hurry or he'll be around you. There isn't a defenseman in the league that wouldn't like to get him against the boards, but they've been trying since the season started and they haven't done it yet."

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Originally Posted by Lewiston Daily Sun, 1979-01-27

Midway through the third period, Bob MacMillan seized control in the corner and passed to ******** in the faceoff circle. the rookie center scored.

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Originally Posted by Herald-Journal, 1979-02-26

"We always thought he was the best player on the Blues, but I think it would be ridiculous to say we expected him to score the way he's been scoring," said GM Cliff Fletcher.

MacMillan signed his first pro contract with the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints and played two seasons. "It was the worst mistake of my life," said MacMillan. "the players were out of shape and had lousy attitudes. It wasn't what I thought pro hockey would or should be like."

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Originally Posted by Montreal Gazette, 1981-11-26

Utility forward Bob macMillan...

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Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Press, 1982-11-05

New Jersey's Bob MacMillan, out of control, plowed into (the goalie) on the play. The goalie suffered a concussion and was held in hospital overnight.

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1977

valuable addition to the Blues...concentrated on defense until the Blues encouraged him to open up on offense...

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1978

Versatile forward who can play center, LW, or RW. Led Blues in scoring with 58 points... Noted for hustle and reputation as team player... Has not missed a game in two years... Good checker who excels as a penalty killer and in winning faceoffs... Fast, energetic skater.

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1979

The Big Mac... Blossomed as a big goal scorer after trade... Tough and versatile... Can play either wing or center... Also durable, having played in all 80 games in each of last three seasons... used on faceoffs and penalty killing... would play goal if you asked him.

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1980

Mac the knife... can slice a defense to shreds... Has emerged as a bonafide star... Broke every major offensve club record and won Lady byng trophy... Leader on one of league's most potent offenses... Mostly a RW but can play center too... swift skater with a bullet for a wristshot... voted team's MVP... a hustler.

Useful, versatile veteran who can play all forward positions... Regards his 108-point season as "a bit of a fluke". Strong skater, excellent defensive player who is a good penalty killer... He's been a key worker since trade from Blues.. Easy going and gregarious, he's been a favourite interview of many reporters because of his frank, funny views on hockey and other matters.

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1983

versatile player with good skill in all areas of the game... Excellent skater.

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1984

Mack the knife, slices through defenses with blazing speed... good skater, scorer and defensive player... almost never in penalty box... Was big fan favourite in Atlanta... possesses excellent shot and savvy to go along with it.

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Originally Posted by Complete handbook Of Pro Hockey 1985

Was heartthrob of Devils' young female fans... can play any positon... excels as penalty killer...